female genital mutilationhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/taxonomy/term/8409/all
enChristian Aid welcomes government ambition to tackle FGM and child marriagehttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/20669
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<p>Long-term solutions to end female genital mutilation and child marriage are essential to ensure progress towards ending harmful practices, says Christian Aid.</p>
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<p>Long-term solutions to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage are essential to ensure progress towards ending harmful practices, says Christian Aid.</p>
<p>Better opportunities for girls and women, supporting survivors and protecting girls at risk were among the key areas to be addressed at the Girl Summit today (Tuesday), hosted by the UK Prime Minister and jointly organised by the Department for International Development (DfID) and UNICEF.</p>
<p>“We welcome the Summit and DfID’s ambition to tackle these issues and the recognition of the key role of faith-based and civil society organisations in the fight against both practices,” said Chiara Capraro, Christian Aid’s Policy Advisor on Gender.</p>
<p>“We want to remind political and faith leaders that this commendable ambition needs long-term commitment and investment to address the damaging social and cultural norms that reinforce these practices. Working with communities, education and engaging with religious and traditional leaders is essential.” </p>
<p>Christian Aid wants to see the ending of FGM and child, early and forced marriage included in the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set to replace the current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) when they expire in 2015. </p>
<p>Christian Aid therefore welcomes the inclusion of a target on harmful practices within the recently agreed report from the UN’s Open Working Group on SDGs, and urges world leaders to take this forward as part of a specific stand-alone goal addressing the rights of women and girls. </p>
<p>Such a move could be a significant step forward in enhancing deepening global commitment to gender equality.</p>
<p>Approximately 140 million girls and women are currently living with the consequences of FGM globally, of whom 92 million live in Africa. Worldwide, more than 60 million girls are child brides, forced into marriage before the age of 18.</p>
<p>Ms Capraro added: “Christian Aid works with partner organisations around the world to address the rights of women and girls, as well as harmful practices including FGM and child early and forced marriages. To coincide with this Summit, Christian Aid has launched a new strategy, Gender Justice for All, to share its own commitment to long-term change and gender equality.” </p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsEducation and CultureSex and GenderNews Briefchild marriageschristian aidDfIDfemale genital mutilationforced marriagesgender equalityUK NewsUNICEFTue, 22 Jul 2014 08:04:23 +0000agency reporter20669 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukGlobal churches' chief calls for an end to female genital mutilationhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17549
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<p>Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a “dehumanising practice”, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, says.</p>
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<p>Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a “dehumanising practice”, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), has said. </p>
<p>He said added that churches need to work together with other religious partners and governments to eliminate this practice.</p>
<p>Dr Tveit shared these reflections on 3 December 2012 at an evening organised by the Global Alliance against Female Genital Mutilation and hosted by the WCC at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland.</p>
<p>He said that the realities of FGM remind him of the prayer “God of life, lead us to justice and peace”, which is the theme of the WCC’s upcoming 10th Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea in 2013.</p>
<p>Tveit stressed that it is not possible to “live our faith in the God of life, who actively calls us to work for justice and peace” without addressing realities such as FGM that threaten the lives of 6000 girls every day.</p>
<p>“As religious leaders, we cannot work for human rights and the rights of religious freedom without ending gender based violence and the violation of women’s rights,” he added.</p>
<p>The World Council of Churches brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church.</p>
<p>* Full text of the WCC general secretary’s reflections: <a href="http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/speeches/reflections-on-female-genital-mutilation.html" title="http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/speeches/reflections-on-female-genital-mutilation.html">http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/speech...</a></p>
<p>* Global Alliance against Female Genital Mutilation: <a href="http://www.global-alliance-fgm.org/" title="http://www.global-alliance-fgm.org/">http://www.global-alliance-fgm.org/</a></p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Community and FamilySex and GenderNews Brieffemale genital mutilationgender injusticewccwomenworld council of churchesWorld NewsFri, 07 Dec 2012 16:02:27 +0000agency reporter17549 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukChristian charity challenges female genital mutiliationhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/14237
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<p>Christian international education charity Feed the Minds has chosen the run-up to International Women's Day to focus on preventing female genital mutilation.</p>
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<p>Christian international education charity Feed the Minds (FTM) is launching its research paper looking at effective ways to do more to prevent female genital mutilation (FGM). They have timed the initiative to mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, which falls next week (8 March).</p>
<p>The charity describes female genital mutilation as "a human rights violation that has shocking long-term health implications, including severe bleeding, risk of infection and complications during childbirth resulting in maternal and newborn deaths".</p>
<p>It is estimated this practice affects over 3 million women every year. The majority of the girls and young women affected live in one of 28 African countries. But FTM insist that that it is widespread and even occurs in the UK. They say that at least 18 of the 28 African countries in which FGM is still widely practised have passed legislation outlawing the practice, yet it still continues. </p>
<p>The charity's research found that many figures of authority in communities are aware of both the illegality and health implications of FGM. Despite this , it remains deeply rooted in traditional culture and is passed down through generations. In some communities where FGM is widespread, it is believed that uncut women will be promiscuous, unfaithful in marriage and unclean. Consequently, the fear is that many young women who are not cut may never marry. </p>
<p>However, Feed the Minds found that religion plays a very small role in the justification for FGM practice. They say they have strong evidence that the Church is now a leading force in FGM abandonment and alternative rites programmes.</p>
<p>"FGM is a deeply ingrained and multifaceted cultural practice that requires urgent action locally, nationally and internationally," insisted Katy Newell-Jones, co-author of the research report and Director of Programmes at Feed the Minds. </p>
<p>The research looked at how an Alternative Rite of Passage, which involves education and a celebration but no cutting, could protect young girls at the same time as protecting cultural traditions. </p>
<p>The findings suggest that education and training are key, but not just for the girls and young women. Local community elders and leaders need education and support in seeing how the Alternative Rite of Passage can incorporate respecting non-harmful tradition and encouraging moral behaviour among young women. </p>
<p>The researchers say that men and boys benefit from increased knowledge of the harmful effects of FGM. Education of parents can help them to make the difficult decisions to say no to FGM. </p>
<p>Most importantly, the potential victims, girls and young women, through empowerment training and educational materials will be able to fully understand the risks FGM brings, the laws that protect them, the options they have and the support available to them. </p>
<p>"The overwhelming outcome of this research is that charities, governments, community groups and communities themselves must work together for change," said Dennitah Ghati, Chair of the Education Centre for Advancement of Women (ECAW).</p>
<p>She added, "The 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to raise the awareness of FGM and shows us how much we still have left to do. Together so we can eradicate this harmful practice and give women their dignity back – lets not wait another 100 years."</p>
<p>Feed the Minds promotes education as a means of tackling poverty and promoting human rights. </p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Religion and SocietySex and GenderNews BriefFeed the Mindsfemale genital mutilationInternational Women's DayWorld NewsTue, 01 Mar 2011 13:16:27 +0000staff writers14237 at http://www.ekklesia.co.uk